In Honor of Tomorrow Being Nevermind Day, a Look at How Other 90s Album Release Dates Stack Up

This Saturday, September 24, 2011, is being hailed as Nevermind Day, because exactly 20 years ago that day, Nirvana released their second album, the one that Changed the Way We Think About Music. But calling it simply Nevermind Day or even Nirvana Day isn’t totally fair; there were three classics released that day, too: The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest, Blood Sugar Sex Magik by Red Hot Chili Peppers (it’s only one of their two listenable albums), and Hymns to the Silence, Van the Man’s last great record. (Screamadelica and Trompe le Monde came out a day earlier, on September 23). So, really, it should be called Silence Sex ‘Mind Theory Day, which actually sounds like the name of an R. Kelly song.

That got me wondering what other days in 1990s released more than one classic album. Well:

What else was happening in music in November 1991?-2Pac released his first album, 2Pacalypse Now

October 6, 1992Automatic for the People by R.E.M.Blind by the SundaysGrave Dancers Union by Soul AsylumLess Memorable Release: Home for Christmas by Amy Grant

What else was happening in music in October 1992?-Liar, the Jesus Lizard’s best record, came out on October 10

July 27, 1993Siamese Dream by the Smashing PumpkinsFake Train by UnwoundLess Memorable Release: Promises and Lies by UB40

What else was happening in music in July 1993?-Zooropa. U2. Bad.

November 9, 1993Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called QuestEnter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang ClanLess Memorable Release: Both Sides by Phil Collins

What else was happening in music in November 1993?-Carly Simon puts a “family opera” album.

May 10, 1994The Blue Album by WeezerDiary by Sunny Day Real EstateExperimental Jet Set, Trash, and No Star by Sonic YouthLess Memorable Release: Arrive All Over You by Danielle Brisebois

What else was happening in music in May 1994?-Ill Communication comes out, and we’re still not sure if it’s better than Check Your Head

September 13, 1994There’s Nothing Wrong with Love by Built to SpillReady to Die by Notorious B.I.G.John Henry by They Might Be GiantsFour by Blues Traveler (admit it, you love “Run-Around”)Less Memorable Release: From the Cradle by Eric Clapton

What else was happening in music in September 1994?-“Run-Around.” That’s it. Well, maybe, “Hook,” too.

August 27, 1996 No Code by Pearl JamOne in a Million by AaliyahATLiens by OutkastLess Memorable Release: The Latch-Key Kid by A+

What else was happening in music in August 1996?-On the day I turned 9 (August 6), Olivia Tremor Control gave me a birthday present I wouldn’t appreciate for another decade: Music from the Unrealized Film Script, Dusk at Cubist Castle.

September 23, 1997Homogenic by BjorkTime Out of Mind by Bob DylanLess Memorable Release: Evolution by Boyz II Men

What else was happening in music in September 1997?-Elton John performs “Candle in the Wind” at Princess Diana’s funeral. Many years later, Andy Dwyer performs “5,000 Candles in the Wind” at Lil’ Sebastian’s funeral.

September 29, 1998Aquemini by OutkastVol 2…Hard Knock Life by Jay-ZIs This Desire? By PJ HarveyDeserter’s Songs by Mercury RevLess Memorable Release: Tony Bennett: The Playground by Tony Bennett

What else was happening in music in September 1998?-On the same day as the records listed above, Sheryl Crow’s The Globe Sessions came out. It was an upgrade over Tuesday Night Music Club, because of “My Favorite Mistake,” but not by much.

February 23, 1999The Hot Rock by Sleater-KinneyThe Slim Shady LP by EminemThings Fall Apart by the RootsFanMail by TLCLess Memorable Release: A Place in the Sun by Lit

What else was happening in music in February 1999?-“…Baby One More Time” was tearing up the charts.